Stand out firmly for Allah as just witnesses (Surah Al-Ma’idah 5: 8)

The Necessity of Observing Justice

Allah said,

O you who believe! Stand out firmly for Allah...  meaning, in truth for the sake of Allah, not for the sake of people or for fame,

as just witnesses  observing justice and not transgression. It is recorded in the Two Sahihs that An-Nu`man bin Bashir said, "My father gave me a gift, but `Amrah bint Rawahah, my mother, said that she would not agree to it unless he made Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) as a witness to it. So, my father went to Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam)  to ask him to be a witness to his giving me the gift. Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) asked,

`Have you given the like of it to everyone of your offspring' He replied in the negative. Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said,

Have Taqwa of Allah and treat your children equally. And said;

I shall not be witness to injustice. My father then returned and took back his gift.'' Allah said;

and let not the enmity and hatred of others make you avoid justice.   The Ayah commands: Do not be carried away by your hatred for some people to avoid observing justice with them. Rather, be just with every one, whether a friend or an enemy. This is why Allah said,

Be just: that is nearer to Taqwa  this is better than if you abandon justice in this case. Although Allah said that observing justice is `nearer to Taqwa', there is not any other course of action to take, therefore `nearer' here means `is'. Allah said in another Ayah,

The dwellers of Paradise will, on that Day, have the best abode, and have the fairer of places for repose.(Surah Al-Furqan 25:-24) Some of the female Companions said to `Umar, "You are more rough and crude than the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) ,'' meaning, you are rough, not that the Prophet is rough at all. Allah said next,

and have Taqwa of Allah. Verily, Allah is Well Acquainted with what you do   and consequently, He will reward or punish you according to your actions, whether good or evil.


Source: Tafsir ibn Kathir (Abridged)